Rotary distributor for use in telegraph or like systems



Oct. 15, 1929- H. H. HARRISON ET AL 1,731,977

ROTARY DISTRIBUTOR FOR USE IN TELEGRAPH 0R LIKE SYSTHS Filed Dec. 51.1925 v Lvenforn //z7-r Ha ales flarrz xon/ in; 22 01:]!

'fIVM Patented Oct. 15, 192 9 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY HUGHESHARRISON, OF LIVERPOOL, AND SIDNEY REYNELL SMITH, OF LON- DON, ENGLAND,ASSIGNORS T0 AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE MANUFACTURING COM- PAN'Y LIMITED, 01'LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND ROTARY DISTRIBUTOR FOR USE IN TELEGRAPH OR LIKESYSTEMS Application filed December 31, 1825, Serial No.

The present invention relates to rotary distributors of the kind used intelegraph systems; such distributors are usually employed in connectionwith synchronous telegraph systems for connecting up particular circuitsat the transmitting and receiving ends of the line at the same instant,or allowing for orientation, at an instant at which the signals sent tothe line b ceived correctly y the corresponding receiving apparatus.

In known distributors of this type, it has been usual for the rotatingbrushes to wipe over contacting segments mounted in an insulating disc,the disc and segments being adjustable relatively to their supportingframe to allow for orientation. The brushes themselves usually consistof a bunch of metallic threads or wires, and brushes of this type fromtheir nature require frequent attention and adjustment, as in view ofthe importance of the phase relationship between the distributors at thetransmitting and receiving ends, any stray ends of the brush wires wouldcompletely upset the functioning of the apparatus.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved andsimplified type of distributor requiring considerably less attention formaintenance purposes and of a construction which is simple and cheap.

The principal characteristic of the new type of distributor is that itis designed on the lines of a step-by-step switch having inotion in asingle plane as used in automatic telephone systems for a subscribersline switch, and accordingly while broadly the invention consists inmodifying such a line switch for use as a rotary distributor intelegraph systems, it possesses a number of novel features. The featureswhich contribute towards giving rotary distributors according to theinvention a vantages over distributors of the old type are in thefollowing paragraphs individually set out.

According to one feature of the invention, the brushes consist of singlemetallic members stamped out of thin sheet metal, for instancephosphor-bronze, the brushes being shaped and bent so as to present atrailing a transmitter can be re 78,577, and in Great Britain January14, 1925.

end which tends to press against or between the stationary contacts,according to its position. This type of brush is bound to give contactat a very precise instant, thuspermitting accurate adjustment and willrun continuously for long periods without requiring any attention owingto loss of adjustment.

According to another feature of the invention the brushes are adapted toengage the stationary contacts on both sides simultaneously. Preferablyfor this purpose each brush consists of. two members of similar shapebut having their ends bent in opposite directions so as to press oneither side of the contacts.

A further feature of the invention which is closely connected with thatjust mentioned,

is that the fixed contacts project from in-' sulating supports in aradial direction; consequently when the brushes are not engaging withthe fixed contacts, they will engage with each other, there being nosolid insulation provided between the adjacent fixed contacts in thetrack of the brushes.

Still another feature of the invention is that the stationary contactsare secured in a frame supported directly by the shaft and adapted to bemoved bodily relatively to the shaft and to the main support; thisconstruction permits orientation to be carried out in a very simplemanner.

' be considered as an elevation of the improved distributor as mountedin position and Fig. 2 will then be an inverted plan of the deviceunmounted. Fig. 1 it should be mentioned, is a section of Fig. 2 alongthe line 1--1. In Fig. 1 the main frame on which the distributor ismounted is indicated by l and it is supported at one end by plate 2which is fixed to the main frame by the screws 3, 3. The fixed contactscomprise sheet metal stampings, for instance of phosphor-bronze, ofappropriate shape and having the correct circumferential length. Thesecontacts are mounted between insulating plates 5, separated by spacingplates 6, the whole being held together by the bolts 7 It will beunderstood of course that the contacts are cut away as indicated by thedotted line so that no electrical connection is made with the holdingbolts. The lowermost spacing plate has right angled extensions 7 bymeans of which connection is made to the side frame 8 by the screws 9.The side frame, which is of the special shape shown, carries bearings 10and 11, through which-passes the shaft 12, which has one bearing on theplate 2. At the other end of the shaft is a coupling 13, by means ofwhich connection is ma e to a driving motor, from which also support isobtained for the other end of the shaft. It will be apparent that thecontact assembly is free to rotate relatively to the frame 1 and to theshaft 12- and this movement is limited and defined by the screw 14. Thisscrew is threaded in a pillar 15 secured to the frame 1 and having arecess in which is housed a'spring 16, which tends to turn the contactassembly away from the pillar. Orientation may therefore be effectedaccurately by operating the screw 14,

'the spring 16 keeping the plate 7' pressed up against the head of thescrew. For a'reason which will be more fully considered subsequentlyorientation should only be effected with the switch shown while thebrushes are rotating.

The brushes 17 are convenientlv of the shape shown in order to provideflexibility and preferably two separate members cooperate so as toengage a fixed contact on both sides simultaneously- The various brushesare separated by insulating washers and are held together by the nut 18so as to form a solid unit. This unit is rigidly fixed to the shaft 12by the set screw 19 so as to rotate with the shaft.

In the arrangement shown there are two rows of fixed contacts with theircorresponding brushes, but it will be appreciated that it is a simplematter to add other rows if they should be required. With thisconstruction of distributor, thedifi'erent rows of contacts are alllocated at the same radius instead of being located at different radiias has been usual with distributors of the fiat disc type used hitherto.It will be noted that with the arrangement illustrated the brushes aredouble ended, while the fixed contacts occupy approximately asemi-circle. This arrangement is advantageous in giving free access tothe distributor and construction and assembly,

simplifying its but it will be un- V, as may be seen from Fig.

derstood that a full circle could'also be used, or the contactassembly-could occupy onethird or other fraction of the full circle.

Electrical connections are made to the rotating brushes by the feedbrushes 20 which are split and-have their ends turned in oppositedirections so as to engage with each of the pair of brushes wiping overa particular contact row. Engagement is effected at an enlarged portionnear the shaft so that contact can be maintained whatever the position,

It will be clear that of the moving brushes. when the latterencounter'the outer end of the feed brush they will pass over it as overan ordinary fixed contact.

In the form of distributor shown, the ends of a co-operatingpair ofbrushes meet in a l but this entails a somewhat more complicated 4 andshould not.. in

manufacturing process general be necessary.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. Arotary distributor for use in telegraph or like systems comprising incombination a fixed supporting frame, a rotatable shaft carried by saidframe and adapted to be continuously driven, contact supports of arcuateform carried by said shaft, metallic contact members of selectedcircumferential length arranged to be held by and to project in a radialdirection from said supports, and metallic brushes secured to saidshaftand arranged to engage with said contact members successively when saidshaft is rotated.

2. A rotary distributor for use in telegraph or like systems comprisingin combination a fixed supportin frame, a rotatable shaft carried bysaid frame, contact supports car ried by said shaft, metallic contactmembers located in a single plane and arranged-to project in a radialdirection from said supports, a pair of said shaft and located on eitherside of the plane of said contact members and radial trailing edges onsaid brushes inwardly bent so as to engage said contact members in turnon both sides simultaneously on a radial line when said shaft isrotated.

3. A rotary distributor for use in telegraph or like systems com risingin combination a fixed supporting ame, a plurality of metallic contactmembers, supports for said contact members, a rotatable shaft, bearingsfor said shaft on said supporting frame, bearings for said supports onsaid shaft, metallic brushes secured to said shaft and ad- L-shapedbrushes secured to' 2. Consequently j usting means for altering theposition of said supports relatively to said supporting frame. 4. Arotaryv distributor for,use in telegraph or like systems comprising incombination a fixed supporting frame, a plurality of metallic contactmembers, supports for said contact members, a rotatable shaft, bearingsfor said shaft on said supporting frame, bearings for said supports onsaid shaft, metallic brushes secured to said shaft, a threaded pillarcarried by said supporting frame, a screw adapted to engage in saidpillar and a spring for holding said supports against the head of saidscrew so that the position of said supports relatively to saidsupporting frame may be altered'by operating said screw.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures. HARRY HUGHES HARRISON.

SIDNEY REYNELL SMITH.

